Supplemental Instruction

What is SI?

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is available for students in select chemistry courses. SI sessions provide you with the chance to get together with classmates and compare notes, discuss important concepts, develop study strategies, and quiz one another.

SI is recommended for all students in first-year chemistry courses who want to improve both their understanding of course material and their grades. The sessions are facilitated by a trained SI leader.

What is an SI leader?

Have you ever wished you could do something over, knowing what you know now? Although it's impossible to turn back time, current students in select chemistry courses can benefit from the wisdom and insight of someone who has already navigated course material, assignments, and exams.

Supplemental Instruction leaders are students who have completed your course with a high grade and have been trained in group-facilitation techniques. They are eager to guide you through the course content and share what they have learned about studying effectively for the course. They will also be present in every class period with you, taking notes and listening closely to the professor.

How does SI work?

At each SI session, your leader will guide you through course concepts. Your leader will not repeat class lectures, give out lecture notes, or do your homework or your thinking for you.

Your leader will share successful study strategies for the course, helping you to make good use of your study time. After all, you have to study anyway. You might as well do it with friends so that you can share your knowledge and figure out things together, right? Your leader's job is to help you think about the lectures you've heard and the books you've read, make connections among the material, and then put the concepts into perspective so you can learn more efficiently.

What's in it for me?

If you attend SI sessions regularly, chances are you'll earn a better grade. Research shows that students who attend SI sessions regularly average one-half to one full letter grade higher than their classmates who choose not to attend. When you attend SI, you'll develop a better understanding of course content, as well as more effective ways of studying. Hopefully, you'll make a few new friends, too!

When do SI sessions start?

SI sessions will begin during the second week of classes. Remember, the secret of success is to study proactively—don't wait until the night before the test. Since you have to study anyway, why not attend SI sessions and make efficient use of your study time? Your SI leader will keep you informed about meeting times and locations.

What does SI cost?

SI sessions cost nothing except for your time—assistance is free. Come as often as you like. Keep this in mind, though: the statistics show that the more sessions you attend, the better your final grade will likely be.

How will I know when SI is offered?

During the first week of classes, your SI leader will make an announcement. You will fill out a short survey to inform the leader of your class schedule. Please bring your official schedule of classes with you to the first class period so that you will be able to complete the survey accurately. Each leader will set up three review sessions a week at times that are best for the majority of the class. You can attend as many of the sessions as you wish; each one will be different because you'll have new material to discuss. SI sessions are informal. Bring your notes, your textbook, and your questions.

Become an SI Leader

SI leaders attend course lectures, take notes, plan, and facilitate interactive SI sessions to assist students with course content and study skills. They lead a minimum of three hour-long study sessions per week for designated courses, plus a two-hour "marathon session" before each exam.

Following training sessions at the beginning of the semester, SI Leaders attend regular weekly training meetings. SI leaders are also responsible for promoting the program and developing a good working relationship with the faculty member teaching the designated courses. They typically work about 10 hours per week.

SI is a paid, professional opportunity for student leaders to build rapport with an academic department, gain experience in facilitating interactive groups, and review an academic discipline in preparation for an advanced degree or job. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.

Applications for the next academic year are accepted starting the week following Winter Carnival, with the deadline being one week after Spring Break. However, to assure hiring for the next academic year, applications should be submitted by March 19, 2012.